Captain Keane breaks down Leeds

Roy Keane's unrivalled will to win triumphed over Leeds' dogged defensiveness as Manchester United turned the screw on English Premiership title rivals Arsenal and Chelsea here yesterday.

Just as it seemed Leeds had done enough to earn a badly-needed point, the United skipper powered his way into their box to head Gary Neville's cross from the right past a helpless Paul Robinson.

The 81st-minute winner was enough to lift United two points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of their meeting at Highbury later last night.

Rio Ferdinand and the rest of the United squad were given extra police protection on their way to the ground for the midday clash between the bitter rivals.

But on the field, the United defence required no protection against a Leeds side that seemed content to camp in their own half and soak up the pressure from their visitors.

Young Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo's efforts to win a penalty earned him a yellow card after only 14 minutes.

Referee Graham Poll ruled it was an attempt to win a penalty by diving.

United was comfortably dominating the early proceedings and Paul Robinson needed two attempts to gather Paul Scholes' low drive from the edge of the area.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was then denied the chance to get on the end of Darren Fletcher's low cross from the right by a superb clearance from Zoumana Camara.

Van Nistelrooy finally got his chance in the 25th minute after a through ball from skipper Roy Keane but the Dutch striker's attempted chip was struck over the bar to the relief of an out-of-position Robinson.

United was forced into a change when Quinton Fortune limped off after falling awkwardly after a tackle that earned Jermaine Pennant a booking.

David Batty and Kelly also received cautions as Leeds continued to scrap but the home side were fortunate to stay on level terms when van Nistelrooy headed a Ronaldo free-kick narrowly wide five minutes before the break.

United picked up where they had left off after the break with van Nistelrooy teeing up Scholes for a fierce drive that Robinson could only parry before his defence scrambled the ball clear.

As the clock ticked away it looked increasingly likely that Leeds would be able to hold out but their defensive efforts ultimately proved to be in vain when Keane came up with his late strike.